GENERAL INFORMATION

 INTRODUCTION

Samastipur Division, one of the five divisions of EAST CENTRAL RAILWAY, came into existence in the year 1969, is situated on the bank of Budhi Gandak river. Samastipur town is also a district headquarter, comprising of many sections of old Oudh Tirhut Railway apart from being a centre of rich cultural heritage of

Mithila region.

Samastipur division serves 15 densely populated Districts of North with a multi-gauge network comprising of both Broad-gauge and Metre-gauge. On the north side, the Division borders with . , Jaynagar and Laukaha Bazar are important rail-heads for Nepal-bound traffic.

 PLACES OF TOURIST IMPORTANCE Samastipur division covers a number of tourist places of historical importance. Some of these are: Madhubani: DHAM

Situated DBG-NKE It was the Capital of the section is famous kingdom of Raja Janak. for being the It is a cultural center of " Swayambar" was birth place of Mithilanchal and is famous for held here. It is situated in its rich cultural heritage and Nepal and is connected Goddess Sita. It is Madhubani paintings. The by rail from Jaynagar and also directly famous "Shastrartha" with by road from Sitamarhi connected with Mandan Mishra and “Adi Guru” and Shankaracharya was held in a stations. It is the place nearby birthplace of Janaki, or Darbhanga It is Commissionary town Sita, daughter of King having two universities viz. Janak.Janakpur, Sanskrit University and historically called Lalit Narayan Mithila Mithilanchal, is the centre University. Several palaces of of the ancient Maithili ancient king and temples are culture, which has its own of tourist interest are available language and script. here. Valmikinagar: There is " Ashram" near Valmiki Nagar station in the name of Maharshi Valmiki. It is believed that “Lava” and “Kush” the mighty sons of Lord were born and brought up in the above Ashram. Also famous for Tiger Project.

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West Champaran

तपु . नंदनगढ़ अशोक तम,् लौरया भतहरबा आम With district headquarters at ." Stambha" of King Ashok era is worth seeing at Louria and Bodh Stup,Nandangarh near Narkatiaganj. This district is also famous for Bhitiharva Ashram.Bhitiharva is a village at about 17 Km from Narkatiaganj Station where Gandhiji started his freedom movement that came to be known as 'Champaran Satyagraha' in history. Bhitiharva Ashram was originally known as Kasturba Sewa Kendra, it was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi on 20th November 1917 as a basic school to share knowledge with tribal women and girls later it was hub for freedom fighter.Mahatma Gandhi had launched the Non-co-operation movement in India for the first time from here. During this period he stayed at Bhitiharva Ashram which is now served with a Halt station near Narkatiaganj in Narkatiaganj - Bhikhnathoree MG section. East Champaran

अशोक तभ अरेराज गाँधी मतृ तभ एवं संहालय,मोतीहार नेपाल वेशमाग With district headquarters at Motihari."Ashoka Stambha" of King Ashok era is worth seeing at ,Gandhi Memorial Statue and Museum at Motihari.Raxaul entry point of Nepal is also situated in this District. It is a famous pilgrimage of lord Mahadeo in the country. It is situated at a distance of 8 km from Madhepura and about 30 Km from Saharsa Station and is renowned for its historical and religious importance.Here Devotes not only from Bihar but also from other parts of the country including the neighboring country Nepal come to singheshwar sthan for the worship of lord Shiva. Mahashivratri mela of singheshwar sthan is famous in संहेवर थान मधेपराु Bihar and Nepal also. It is situated on the bank of river Koshi, between the stations Badlaghat and Dhamaraghat on Mansi-Saharsa rail line. Temples of Ma Katyayani , as well as of Ram, Lakshman and Ma Janaki is situated at this place. Every Monday and Friday , large number of devotees come to this place for offering puja. As per the local folk traditions, Ma Katyayani is worshiped as Lok Devi- Devi of Milk कायान मंदर धमाराघाट Cattles. That is why devotees offer raw milk to the deity.

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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIVISION

GEOGRAPHY & HISTORY

Date of Beginning : 1969

Situated : On Bank of Budhi Gandak

Region : Mithilanchal

Districts Served : 15 Nos.

Sequence wise Governing Railway . Tirhut State Railway (TSR) . Bengal Nagpur Western Railway (BNWR) . Oudh Tirhut Railway (OTR) . North Eastern Railway (NER) . East Central Railway (ECR) Major Rivers . Kosi . Bagmati . Budhi Gandak . Kamla Balan . Adhwara Group . Lakhandeyee . Sikrana Nepal Border Heads . Raxaul . Jaynagar . Laukha Bazar . Forbesganj . . Raghopur Tourist Place . Sitamarhi : Birth place of Goddess Sita. . Jankapur road : Sita Swayambar . Madhubani : Madhubani painting . Darbhanga : Postal Trg.Institute . Valmiki Nagar: Valmiki Ashram and Tiger century. . Champaran : Ashoka Stambh at Lauria . Bithiharwa Ashram : Non-Co-operation movement in India launched by father of nation, M.K.Gandhi.

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 BACKGROUND

Samastipur division serves 15 densely populated districts of North Bihar comprising East Champaran, West Champaran, Shivhar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Khagaria, Begusarai,

Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Araria and Purnea.

 TRACK/ROUTE KILOMETRES :

Blocked for Particulars BG MG Total GC

Route Kilometers 788.13 184.24 159.76 1132.13

Track Kilometers 872.75 237.95 192.55 1303.25

 NUMBER OF BRIDGES :

Type BG MG Total

Important Bridges 14 01 15

Major Bridges 169 100 269

Minor Bridges 642 434 1076

Total 825 535 1360

 LEVEL CROSSINGS :

Class Gauge C C Spl. A B D Total (Manned) (Unmanned) BG 11 16 45 277 256 0 605

MG 2 4 11 56 233 9 315

Total 13 20 56 333 489 9 920

 TRACK STRUCTURE :

Rail Sleeper Section Wooden 52 Kg 90R 75R 60R Total PSC CST-9 ST Total /Mix

BG 788.13 00 00 00 788.13 788.13 00 00 00 788.13

MG 0 31.34 49.5 103.4 184.24 0 107.88 19.1 57.26 184.24 Block- ed for - - - - 159.76 - - - - 159.76 GC

Total 788.13 31.34 49.5 103.4 1132.13 788.13 107.88 19.1 57.26 1132.13

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